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FISHING GUIDE · TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
Turks & Caicos Fishing Guide
Turks and Caicos pairs shallow bonefish flats on the Caicos Bank with a deep wall close to shore for wahoo, tuna and marlin. Bonefish are caught year-round and are usually released. Much of the coast around Provo is national park where no fishing is allowed, and anglers need a licence.
📍 Turks and Caicos Islands, British Overseas Territory southeast of the Bahamas. Most trips start on Providenciales (Provo). The best bonefish flats are in the creeks and shoals south of North, Middle and East Caicos on the Caicos Bank; South Caicos also has good flats. Deep water is close off Provo and Grand Turk.
Map: spots, ramps and marinas
★ Fishing hot spot · ● Boat ramp · ● Marina · ▭ Protected area (solid red = no fishing, dashed = fishing with rules)
Open the full Bahamas, Turks & Caicos map →
Quick facts
- From Providenciales or Grand Turk it often takes only about 15 minutes to reach water over 5,000 feet deep.
- The islands have 27 marine protected areas, set up in the 1980s, including Princess Alexandra Land and Sea National Park off Provo's north and east coasts.
- Fishing, and taking conch or lobster, is illegal in national parks and nature reserves.
- Nassau grouper is closed December 1 to the end of February each year.
- Spear guns are banned, and taking marine life with scuba gear is illegal (lionfish aside).
What you can catch
- Bonefish
Year-round; average 4-5 lb, some over 12 lb. Usually released. - Wahoo
Best in winter. - Mahi-mahi (dolphin)
Better in winter; also late spring into summer. - Yellowfin tuna
About April to July. - Blue and white marlin
Summer. - Barracuda
On the flats and reefs. - Nassau and strawberry grouper
Reef fishing; big grouper best November to February, but Nassau grouper is closed Dec-Feb. - Snapper and jacks
Reef and bottom fishing.
Month by month
| January | Wahoo and mahi. Nassau grouper closed. |
|---|---|
| February | Wahoo and mahi. Nassau grouper closed through end of Feb. |
| March | Nassau grouper reopens Mar 1. Bonefish on the flats. |
| April | Yellowfin tuna begin. Lobster closed from Apr 1. |
| May | Yellowfin tuna; mahi and marlin start. Lobster closed. |
| June | Tuna, mahi and marlin. Lobster closed. |
| July | Tuna and marlin; a marlin tournament has been held in July. Conch closed from Jul 15. Lobster closed through Jul 31. |
| August | Lobster season opens (check the date each year). Conch closed. Flats fishing good. |
| September | Conch closed. Flats fishing good; hurricane season. |
| October | Conch reopens after Oct 15. Flats fishing good. |
| November | Big grouper on the reefs; wahoo season starting. |
| December | Nassau grouper closes Dec 1. Wahoo and mahi. |
Tips
- Anyone 16 or older without Islander Status needs a fishing licence; charter captains usually buy them for guests.
- Do not fish in Princess Alexandra National Park (Grace Bay, Leeward, the Bight), Chalk Sound, Northwest Point or West Caicos marine park.
- Power boats are limited to 15 mph inside protected area waters.
- Hire a guide to reach the remote flats of North, Middle and East Caicos; fish move along the mangroves on a rising tide.
- Report violations to DECR at 941-5122 or environment@gov.tc.
Rules and license
Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR/DEMA), Turks and Caicos Islands Government · Official rules page ↗
- Sport fishing licence required; visitors must carry it on the boat. Fees: check current rules.
- Licence holders may keep up to 10 lb of marine product per day plus one trophy fish during the licence term.
- No fishing, conch or lobster collecting in national parks and nature reserves; visiting sanctuaries needs written permission.
- Nassau grouper closed Dec 1 - end of Feb (no fishing, buying or possessing).
- Lobster closed Apr 1 - Jul 31 (minimum 3.25-inch carapace); queen conch closed Jul 15 - Oct 15 (7-inch shell). Check yearly dates.
- No spear guns; Hawaiian slings only for commercial licence holders; no taking marine life on scuba.
- Fishing tournaments need prior written approval from the Minister.
Rules change. Always check the official page before you fish.
Boat ramps and marinas
The map above shows 0 boat ramps and 5 marinas from OpenStreetMap. Tap any dot for directions.
- Ambergris Cay Marina
- Hawksbill Marina
- South Bank Marina
- South Side Marina
- Turtle Cove Marina
Sources
- https://gov.tc/decr/images/docs/Environmental%20Rule%20and%20Etiquette.pdf
- https://www.gov.tc/pressoffice/latest/close-of-nassau-grouper-season-01-december-2020
- https://www.gov.tc/decr/latest/2014-2015-lobster-season
- https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/tci107368.pdf
- https://thebluebeltprogramme.blog.gov.uk/2023/01/17/ensuring-effective-marine-protection-in-the-turks-and-caicos-islands
- https://www.visittci.com/things-to-do/fishing
- https://www.visittci.com/things-to-do/fishing-licenses
- https://www.visittci.com/providenciales/things-to-do/bonefishing
- https://www.visittci.com/providenciales/about/national-parks
- https://www.saltwatersportsman.com/species/fish-species/provo-bones
Checked October 2026. BigJoe does not invent facts: every number on this page comes from the sources listed above.